JP4764528B1 - Biohydrolysis system for biomass and sugar solution production method using biomass raw material - Google Patents

Abstract

A biomass supply unit 12 that supplies the biomass material 11 having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from normal pressure to increased pressure, and the supplied biomass material is conveyed upward by screw means 14 inside the apparatus main body 13 from below. At the same time, pressurized hot water 15 is supplied into the apparatus main body 13 from an upper side different from the supply location of the biomass raw material 11, and the biomass raw material 11 and the pressurized hot water 15 are hydrothermally decomposed while facing each other. The hydrothermal decomposition part 17 formed by transferring the hot water-dissolved component into the hot water discharge liquid 16 which is the pressurized hot water to be discharged and separating the lignin component and the hemicellulose component from the biomass raw material, and the apparatus main body 13 While communicating with the biomass solid content extraction unit 18 for extracting the biomass solid content 20 from above, the biomass solid content extraction unit 18, Water 19 is injected into parts, and a slurry Kaso 21 slurrying was charged biomass solids 20 withdrawn.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system capable of efficiently decomposing a biomass material, a method for producing a sugar solution and a method for producing an alcohol using the biomass material.

Conventionally, production technology such as ethanol, which is used as a raw material for ethanol fermentation, etc. has been put into practical use after saccharification of biomass such as wood with dilute sulfuric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid, followed by solid-liquid separation, neutralization of the liquid phase, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Moreover, chemical industrial raw material production (for example, lactic acid fermentation etc.) is also considered using sugar as a starting material.
Here, the biomass refers to the accumulation of organisms incorporated into the material circulation system of the earth biosphere or organic substances derived from the organisms (see JIS K 3600 1258).

  Here, sugarcane, corn, etc., which are currently used as alcohol raw materials, are originally provided for food. However, it is effective food products to make these edible resources long-term and stable for industrial use. From the viewpoint of life cycle, it is not preferable.

  For this reason, it is an important issue to effectively utilize cellulosic resources such as herbaceous biomass and woody biomass that are considered to be useful resources in the future.

  Cellulosic resources vary from 38 to 50% cellulose and 23 to 32% hemicellulose components, and from 15 to 22% lignin components that do not become fermentation raw materials. For industrialization research with many problems, the raw materials are assumed to be fixed, and there is no disclosure of production system technology considering the versatility of raw materials.

  Furthermore, since it is originally considered to be a disadvantageous method for fermenting raw materials compared with starch raw materials, with the goal of dealing with garbage problems and global warming prevention, the meaning is diminished in a production system that considers raw materials fixedly. It must be widely applicable to general waste. Enzymatic saccharification itself is too inefficient and is a future issue. The rate of saccharification by acid treatment is also a very small value of about 75% (based on saccharification possible component) due to excessive decomposition of sugar due to excessive reaction. Therefore, the ethanol production yield is only about 25% with respect to cellulosic resources (Non-patent Documents 1 and 3).

  In the conventional techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3, a phenomenon occurs in which the side reaction product causes enzyme saccharification inhibition and the saccharide yield decreases. Therefore, the enzyme saccharification inhibitor is removed and enzyme saccharification mainly by cellulose is performed. The proposal of the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus which improves property was made first (patent documents 4 and 5).

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 9-507386 Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-506934 JP 2005-168335 A JP 2009-183805 A JP 2009-183154 A

Nikkei Biobusiness, p. 52, September 2002

  In the hydrothermal decomposition apparatuses in Patent Documents 4 and 5 described above, biomass and pressurized hot water are supplied so as to face each other and are subjected to hydrothermal reaction by internal heat exchange, but the internal temperature is 180 to 240 ° C. Since the pressure higher than 0.1 to 0.4 MPa is applied to the saturated steam of water at each temperature, the biomass solids from the pressurized state to the normal pressure state after the reaction When the gas is extracted as it is, there is a problem that, for example, nitrogen, which is a pressurized gas, flows out.

  In addition, the hydrothermal decomposition product extracted from the gas-liquid interface between the pressurized hot water and the pressurized gas in the vertical hydrothermal decomposition apparatus is in a high-temperature / high-pressure state, so the reaction proceeds and the biomass solids There is a problem that the hot water-solubilized hemicellulose or the hot water-insoluble cellulose after being solubilized in the hot water accompanying the water is excessively decomposed at a high temperature (180 to 240 ° C.).

  In view of the above problems, the present invention can prevent the outflow of pressurized gas when extracting biomass solids after hydrothermal decomposition of a biomass raw material at a high temperature and high pressure, and cellulose in the biomass raw material. A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system that efficiently suppresses overdecomposition of hemicellulose and obtains valuable materials efficiently, a method for producing a sugar solution, and a method for producing alcohol using biomass raw materials are provided.

  The first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a biomass supply section for supplying a biomass material having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin under normal pressure to pressurized pressure, and hydrothermally heating the biomass material with pressurized hot water. A hydrothermal decomposition unit for decomposing and dissolving a lignin component and a hemicellulose component in pressurized hot water, a biomass solid content extraction unit for extracting biomass solid content from the hydrothermal decomposition unit, and a biomass solid content extraction unit A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system characterized by having a slurrying tank in which water is injected into the inside and the extracted biomass solids are put into a slurry.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the hydrothermal decomposition unit conveys the supplied biomass raw material from below to the inside of the apparatus main body by a conveying means, and the supply location of the biomass raw material Hot water discharge liquid which is pressurized hot water that supplies pressurized hot water from the upper side different from the inside of the apparatus main body, hydrothermally decomposes and discharges the biomass raw material and pressurized hot water while facing each other The biomass hydrothermal decomposition system is characterized in that a hot water-dissolved component is transferred into the biomass raw material and a lignin component and a hemicellulose component are separated from the biomass raw material.

  A third aspect of the invention is the biomass hydrothermal energy according to the first or second aspect of the invention, further comprising a pH measurement device that is provided on the downstream side of the slurrying tank and measures the pH of the slurry-like biomass solids. In the disassembly system.

  A fourth invention is the first solid material according to any one of the first to third inventions, which is provided on the downstream side of the slurrying tank, removes moisture from the slurry-like biomass solids, and separates the biomass solids. It is in the hydrothermal decomposition system of biomass characterized by having a liquid separator.

  A fifth invention is the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the fourth invention, comprising a first saccharification tank for saccharifying the biomass solids separated from the first solid-liquid separator. .

  A sixth aspect of the invention is the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a first return line for returning the water separated from the first solid-liquid separator to the slurrying tank. It is in.

  A seventh aspect of the invention is the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition section. It is in.

  According to an eighth invention, in any one of the fourth to sixth inventions, the eighth invention has a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition section, and from the first solid-liquid separator. In the hydrothermal decomposition system for biomass, the separated water is mixed with the hot water discharge liquid.

  According to a ninth invention, in the fifth invention, an enzyme liquefaction tank for adding an enzyme to the biomass solids separated by the first solid-liquid separator and liquefying the enzyme is provided, and the enzyme liquefaction tank is used. The biomass hydrothermal decomposition system is characterized by using an enzyme liquefied product and saccharifying with an enzyme in the first saccharification tank.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to any one of the first to third aspects, further comprising a third saccharification tank for saccharifying the slurry-like biomass solids.

  In an eleventh aspect based on the tenth aspect, a second solid-liquid separation device that separates solids from the sugar solution after saccharification, and a first moisture separation that removes water from the sugar solution after solid separation. And a hydrothermal decomposition system for biomass.

  The twelfth invention is the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the tenth or eleventh invention, further comprising a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition unit.

  A thirteenth invention is the seventh or twelfth invention according to the third solid-liquid separation device for separating solids from the sugar solution after saccharification in the second saccharification tank, and the sugar solution after solid separation, A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system having a second water separation device for removing water.

  A fourteenth invention is the eleventh or thirteenth invention, wherein the water separated from the first moisture separation device or the second moisture separation device is supplied to the cooling section of the temperature adjusting means of the slurrying tank or hydrothermal decomposition device. It is in the hydrothermal decomposition system of biomass characterized by having the 2nd return line which returns to either or both.

  According to a fifteenth aspect, in the eleventh or thirteenth aspect, the water separated from the first moisture separator or the second moisture separator is converted into pressurized hot water by a pressurizing / heating means, It has the 3rd return line which returns to pressurized hot water, It exists in the hydrothermal decomposition system of biomass characterized by the above-mentioned.

  A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the biomass processing system according to the sixth, fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, wherein the first return line, the second return line, or the third return line has a biological treatment apparatus. is there.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a biomass material having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin is supplied under normal pressure to pressurized pressure, and the biomass material is hydrothermally decomposed with pressurized hot water by a hydrothermal decomposition section, and the pressurized hot water The lignin component and hemicellulose component are dissolved in the biomass, and then the biomass solids extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition portion are poured into a slurrying tank in which water is injected and communicated with the hydrothermal decomposition portion, Production of a sugar solution using a biomass raw material, characterized in that the solid content is then removed from the slurry-like biomass solid content, and then the biomass solid content from which the water has been removed is enzymatically saccharified to produce a sugar solution. Is in the way.

  An eighteenth invention is the sugar solution production using a biomass raw material according to the seventeenth invention, characterized in that the biomass solid content is enzymatically liquefied on the upstream side of enzymatic solidification of the biomass solid content from which water has been removed. Is in the way.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a biomass raw material having cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin is supplied from normal pressure to pressurized pressure, the biomass raw material is hydrothermally decomposed with pressurized hot water by a hydrothermal decomposition section, and the pressurized hot water The lignin component and hemicellulose component are dissolved in the biomass, and then the biomass solids extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition portion are poured into a slurrying tank in which water is injected and communicated with the hydrothermal decomposition portion, In the method for producing a sugar liquid using the biomass raw material, the solid content is obtained by enzymatic saccharification of the slurry biomass solid content to obtain a sugar liquid, then separating the solid content and then removing water.

  A twentieth aspect of the invention is an alcohol production method characterized in that alcohol fermentation is performed using a sugar liquid obtained by a sugar liquid production method using any one of the biomass raw materials according to any of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects to produce an alcohol. It is in.

  According to the present invention, by putting the biomass solid content hydrothermally decomposed into the liquid of the slurrying tank into which water has been injected, the liquid seal is made while in the slurry state, and the pressurized gas is discharged. Can be prevented. This prevents the pressurization gas (for example, pressurization nitrogen) from flowing out and can reduce the running cost.

  In addition, since the biomass solid content is introduced into the liquid, the reaction can be efficiently stopped by cooling the biomass solid content by direct heat exchange with the liquid. Residual hemicellulose due to hot water accompanying the biomass solid content, residual The excessive decomposition of lignin and main component cellulose is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of reaction-inhibiting components and improve the recovery rate of cellulose.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a vertical hydrothermal decomposition apparatus that hydrothermally decomposes biomass with hot water. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of decomposition of biomass by hot water.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10A according to the present embodiment includes a biomass supply unit 12 that supplies a biomass material 11 having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from normal pressure to pressure, and a biomass material 11 Hydrothermal decomposition with pressurized hot water (hereinafter also referred to as “hot water”) 15, hydrothermal decomposition section 17 for dissolving lignin component and hemicellulose component in pressurized hot water 15, and hydrothermal decomposition section 17 The biomass solid content extraction unit 18 that extracts the biomass solid content 20 and the biomass solid content extraction unit 18 communicate with each other, and water 19 is injected therein. A slurrying tank 21 having a solid content 24 and a discharge unit 23 for discharging the slurry-like biomass solid content 24 from under pressure to normal pressure. Than is.

As the hydrothermal decomposition section, a known hydrothermal treatment apparatus that decomposes the biomass raw material 11 under high temperature and high pressure conditions can be used. Although an example of a hydrothermal decomposition apparatus is demonstrated using FIG. 1, this invention is not limited to this apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus according to the present embodiment, the biomass raw material 11 supplied to the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 is transferred from below to the inside of the apparatus main body 13 as a first screw serving as a conveying means. While being transported upward by means 14, pressurized hot water 15 is supplied into the apparatus main body 13 from an upper side different from the supply location of the biomass raw material 11, and the biomass raw material 11 and the pressurized hot water 15 are opposed to each other. Hydrothermal decomposition while contacting and transferring hot water-dissolved components (lignin component and hemicellulose component) into hot water discharge liquid 16 which is pressurized hot water to be discharged, and lignin component and hemicellulose component from biomass raw material 11 It is a separate product.

  Here, as a conveying means, although the screw means is illustrated in a present Example, if a biomass solid content can be conveyed upwards from the downward direction, it will not be limited to a screw means.

  The water 19 introduced into the slurry tank 21 may be liquid under pressure in the system in order to form a liquid seal for the purpose of preventing leakage of pressurized nitrogen 25 for pressurization. In order to suppress the excessive decomposition (decomposition start temperature of about 140 ° C. to 180 ° C.) of the hemicellulose contained in the water contained in 20, the biomass solid content 20 is set so that the liquid temperature of the slurrying tank 21 is cooled to 140 ° C. or lower. What is necessary is just to set suitably the temperature of the water 19 inject | poured according to the temperature of this and the capacity | capacitance of the slurrying tank 21. FIG. As the water 19, for example, water normally used within a range of 0 ° C. to 60 ° C. (for example, cooling tower water or chiller water) can be used, and the water in the system can be circulated and reused as described later. it can.

Here, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 a is a passage for communicating the biomass solids extraction unit 18 and the slurrying tank 21, 22 is a stirring means for stirring the inside of the slurrying tank 21, and 13 a is a gas in the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17. liquid interface, 21a is gas-liquid interface, L ₁ of the slurry Kaso 21 withdrawal line, M ₁ is a motor for driving the first screw means 14, M ₂ is respectively illustrated a motor for driving the stirring means 22.

Next, the outline | summary which hydrothermally decomposes the biomass raw material 11 by the hydrothermal decomposition part 17 is demonstrated. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a vertical hydrothermal decomposition apparatus for hydrothermally decomposing biomass with hot water, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state of decomposition of biomass with hot water.
In the hydrothermal decomposition part 17, the biomass raw material 11 and the pressurized hot water 15 are supplied so as to face each other, and are subjected to a hydrothermal reaction by internal heat exchange. In FIG. 8, an opposing contact region X and a non-facing contact region Y are shown, and the non-facing contact region Y remains in a high-temperature / high-pressure state. The decomposition reaction will proceed and sometimes it may become excessively decomposed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the vertical hydrothermal decomposition apparatus, the biomass raw material (solid) 11 is supplied into the apparatus main body 13 from the lower side, and is moved upward by the first screw means 14 provided therein. The biomass solid content (hot water insoluble content) 20 is dropped into the liquid 21b of the slurrying tank 21 into which the water 19 has been injected through the biomass solid content extraction portion 18 from the upper side.

  Thus, by providing the slurrying tank 21 into which water 19 is injected, the biomass solids 20 can be efficiently and continuously cooled by direct heat exchange without leaking the pressurized nitrogen 25. The hydrothermal decomposition reaction can be stopped, and the hydrothermal decomposition reaction in areas other than the opposed contact region X can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the biomass (cellulosic material) raw material 11 contains hemicellulose and lignin in addition to cellulose, and specifically has a structure in which hemicellulose is bundled and lignin is adhered. ing.
Biomass is divided into a hot water insoluble part (solid part) and a hot water soluble part after hydrothermal decomposition. The hot water-insoluble component is mainly cellulose (a raw material for C6 sugar), and the hot water-soluble component is mainly a hemicellulose (a raw material for C5 sugar), and sugars can be obtained by saccharification with enzymes.

Therefore, the biomass raw material 11 is hydrothermally decomposed at a high temperature (180 to 240 ° C.) by the pressurized hot water 15 so that hemicellulose is dissolved on the hot water side and lignin is also decomposed and dissolved. Hemicellulose and the like are dissolved on the water side.
In the state of the hot water-solubilized hemicellulose after being solubilized in hot water, excessive decomposition occurs at a high temperature (180 to 240 ° C.).

Since this hemicellulose overdegradation lowers the yield of hemicellulose as a raw material for C5 sugar, it is necessary to suppress the overdegradation of hemicellulose solubilized by hot water.
In addition, the mixture of over-decomposed products in hot water becomes a reaction inhibition factor in enzymatic saccharification processes and alcohol fermentation processes in the downstream equipment, so it is necessary to prevent the generation of these inhibitors. It becomes.

  In FIG. 1, the biomass solid content extraction unit 18 is provided with second screw means (not shown), and the biomass solid content 20, which is hot water insoluble content conveyed from below to above by the first screw means 14, is obtained. The slurry is extracted to the slurry tank 21 side. The extracted biomass solids 20 are sequentially dropped from the passage 18a into the liquid 21b, and are slurried by stirring by the stirring means 22 provided in the slurrying tank 21.

  Moreover, the biomass solid content 20 dropped into the liquid 21b in the slurrying tank 21 is cooled by direct heat exchange with the liquid 21b. As a result, residual hemicellulose, residual lignin and The excessive decomposition of the main component cellulose is suppressed.

This is because, in the gas atmosphere above the gas-liquid interface 13a of the hydrothermal decomposition section 17, the biomass solids 20 is exposed above the hot water-liquid surface (gas-liquid interface 13a) by the first screw means 14. . However, since the reaction is still in progress at high temperature and high pressure due to the presence of the pressurized hot water 15 accompanying the biomass solids 20, the biomass solids 20 is put into the liquid 21 b in the slurrying tank 21. The reaction can be stopped.
Therefore, by this reaction stop, the excessive decomposition of residual hemicellulose, residual lignin and main component cellulose is suppressed, the excessive decomposition of cellulose is suppressed and the recovery rate is improved, and the reaction inhibiting component on the downstream side is reduced. Generation is suppressed.

  Further, since water 19 is injected into the slurrying tank 21 and the liquid 21b exists, liquid sealing is performed at the gas-liquid interface 13a of the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 and the gas-liquid interface 21a of the slurrying tank 21. Thus, leakage of the pressurized nitrogen 25, which is a pressurizing gas, is prevented. Thereby, the loss accompanying gas leak is eliminated, and the running cost for the pressurizing gas can be greatly reduced. The slurrying tank 21 is formed with a safety valve (not shown) and an inflow passage for pressurized nitrogen 25.

  Moreover, by making the biomass solid content 20 into a slurry, fluidization becomes possible, and the discharge mechanism when discharging from the slurry tank 21 to the outside becomes simple. That is, if the biomass solid content 20 remains in a high temperature state, it is necessary to use, for example, an expensive material as the material for the discharge mechanism. However, since the slurry is cooled in the slurrying tank 21, the discharge unit 23 provided on the discharge side An inexpensive material such as stainless steel or resin can be used. As this discharge part 23, a rotary feeder, a flow regulating valve, etc. can be used, for example.

In addition, since the biomass solid content has a large porosity and a low bulk density, handling of the solid as a solid is complicated, but volume reduction can be achieved by slurrying, and handling becomes easy. .
That is, before adding to the liquid 21b, the biomass solids 20 was so-called cake-like, the ratio of pressurizing gas was large, the porosity was large, and the bulk density was as small as 0.5 g / cc or less. . When this is slurried, the air gap is reduced and the volume is reduced.

Furthermore, by making the biomass solid content 20 into a slurry, fluidization becomes possible, and handling in subsequent steps becomes easy.
Particularly, since the saccharification treatment is an enzyme reaction, it is necessary to cool to a predetermined temperature or lower (for example, 60 ° C. or lower). At this time, the cooling in the state of biomass solids is not good in heat exchange efficiency, so a large heat exchange means is required, but by making it into a slurry, the cooling efficiency becomes good, and the large heat exchange means It becomes unnecessary.

An indirect cooling means for cooling the inside of the slurrying tank 21 can also be provided.
Moreover, although the slurrying tank 21 is provided with the stirring means 22, this invention is not limited to this, For example, you may make it stir with the circulation means etc. by a pump.

In this embodiment, a pH meter 31 is provided in the extraction line L ₁ for the slurry-like biomass solids 24 extracted from the slurrying tank 21.
By providing this pH meter 31, the presence or absence of an organic acid remaining in the slurry-like biomass solids 24 can be confirmed.
Thereby, the generation | occurrence | production condition of the organic acid (for example, acetic acid etc.) produced by hydrothermal decomposition is monitorable.

  As a result of monitoring the pH by the pH meter 31, when the pH in the slurry-like biomass solids 24 becomes small, it can be determined that an organic acid such as acetic acid has been generated, and the pressurized heat of the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 Water temperature control may be performed.

Alternatively, the pH may be measured by the pH meter 31, the supply amount of pressurized hot water may be controlled, and the hydrothermal decomposition reaction may be controlled.
Other control of the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 based on pH includes a method of controlling the hydrothermal decomposition reaction by controlling the supply amount (reaction time) of the biomass raw material 11, and a scratching by the first screw means 14 of the biomass raw material 11. A method of controlling the hydrothermal decomposition reaction by controlling the frying speed (reaction time), a method of controlling the hydrothermal decomposition reaction by controlling the liquid level (reaction time) of the gas-liquid interface 13a of the apparatus body 13, and hot water discharge A method of controlling the hydrothermal decomposition reaction by controlling the discharge amount of the liquid 16 (reaction time) can be performed.

  Here, the biomass supplied to the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 is not particularly limited, and refers to the accumulation of organisms incorporated into the material circulation system of the earth biosphere or organic matter derived from organisms (JIS). K 3600 1258), however, in the present invention, it is particularly preferable to use woody resources such as hardwood, herbaceous cellulosic resources, agricultural waste, food waste, and the like.

The biomass raw material 11 is not particularly limited in particle size, but is preferably pulverized to 5 mm or less.
In this embodiment, before the biomass is supplied, the pretreatment device may be pretreated using, for example, a pulverizer. Moreover, you may make it wash | clean with a washing | cleaning apparatus.
In addition, in the case of, for example, rice husk or the like as the biomass raw material 11, it can be supplied to the biomass supply unit 12 as it is without being pulverized.

Moreover, it is preferable that the reaction temperature in the hydrothermal decomposition part 17 shall be the range of 180-240 degreeC. More preferably, it is good to set it as 200-230 degreeC.
This is because at a low temperature of less than 180 ° C., the hydrothermal decomposition rate is low, a long decomposition time is required, leading to an increase in the size of the apparatus, which is not preferable. On the other hand, when the temperature exceeds 240 ° C., the decomposition rate becomes excessive, the cellulose component increases the transition from the solid to the liquid side, and the excessive decomposition of the hemicellulose saccharide is promoted, which is not preferable.
The hemicellulose component dissolves from about 140 ° C., the cellulose from about 230 ° C., and the lignin component from about 140 ° C., but the cellulose remains on the solid side, and the hemicellulose component and the lignin component have a sufficient decomposition rate. It is good to set it as the range of 180 to 240 degreeC which it has.

The reaction pressure is preferably a pressure higher by 0.1 to 0.5 MPa than the saturated vapor pressure of water at each temperature of the reaction temperature (180 to 240 ° C.) of the apparatus body 13.
The reaction time is preferably 20 minutes or less and 3 minutes to 10 minutes. This is because if the reaction is carried out too long, the proportion of the overdecomposed product increases, which is not preferable.

As the biomass supply unit 12 for supplying the atmospheric pressure to under pressure, for example, it can be mentioned screw means such as a piston pump or slurry pump.

  In the present embodiment, the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus is a vertical apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an inclined hydrothermal decomposition apparatus having a gas-liquid interface 13a.

  Here, the reason why the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus is an inclined type or vertical type is that gas generated in the hydrothermal decomposition reaction, gas introduced into the raw material, and the like can be quickly discharged from above, which is preferable. Moreover, since the decomposition product is extracted with the pressurized hot water 15, the concentration of the extract increases from the top to the bottom in terms of extraction efficiency, which is preferable.

  As described above, according to the present example, the cellulose-based component and the hemicellulose component were decomposed from the biomass raw material in a solid-liquid contact state, and then the biomass solid content as the decomposition product was injected into the slurrying tank. By putting it in the liquid, it is made into a slurry and a liquid seal is made, so that the flow of pressurized gas can be prevented. This prevents the pressurization gas (for example, pressurized nitrogen) from flowing out, and can greatly reduce the running cost.

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> B is the extraction line L _{1 of} the slurry-like biomass solids 24 extracted from the slurrying tank 21 in the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> A of the first embodiment. In addition, a first solid-liquid separator 32 that separates the biomass solids 33 and the water 34, and a first saccharification that saccharifies the biomass solids 33 separated by the first solid-liquid separator 32 with an enzyme 41A. There is a tank 40A and a second saccharification tank 40B for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid 16 discharged from the hydrothermal decomposition section 17 with an enzyme 41B, and saccharifying the biomass solids 33 to provide a sugar liquid (C6 sugar) 42A In addition, the hot water discharge liquid 16 is saccharified to obtain a sugar liquid (C5 sugar) 42B. The first solid-liquid separator 32 water 34 separated by the return to the slurry Kaso 21 via the first return line L _2, a cooler 35, if L ₂ in the first return line is required You may make it prepare.
In FIG. 2, reference numerals 40a and 40b denote stirring means, and M _{3A and 3B} denote motors that drive the stirring means 40a and 40b.

  The first solid-liquid separation device 32 removes the water 34 containing the reaction-inhibiting substance to obtain a biomass solid content 33. By removing the water 34 with the first solid-liquid separator 32, the solid content can be set to an arbitrary concentration. Thereby, the substrate concentration of the saccharification reaction in the first saccharification tank 40A in the downstream can be adjusted. For example, when it is desired to increase the sugar concentration after saccharification, saccharification may be performed at a higher substrate concentration by increasing the water removal rate in the first solid-liquid separation device 32, and stirring after saccharification or saccharification. -If you want to improve the saccharification rate when you want to perform transfer etc. with good operability, you can lower the moisture removal rate and perform saccharification at a lower substrate concentration.

In the present embodiment, since unnecessary water is removed by the first solid-liquid separation device 32, saccharification can be performed at a higher substrate concentration, and the C6 sugar concentration can be improved.
In addition, the moisture contained in the solid content accompanying the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 includes substances that inhibit fermentation, and the like by removing the water 34 by the first solid-liquid separator 32. Can be removed and saccharification can be carried out, resulting in improved sugar quality.
Further, since the water 34 can be removed, the concentration can be adjusted, and the enzyme conditions can be optimized.
In the present embodiment, the process of obtaining C5 sugar from the hot water discharge liquid 16 is also described. However, when only C6 sugar is desired, the saccharification (C5 saccharification) of the hot water discharge liquid 16 may be omitted. it can.

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> C is the same as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> B of Example 2, except that the water 34 separated from the first solid-liquid separation device 32 is heated by the supply line L <b> _3. The mixture is mixed with the discharged liquid 16 side, and then saccharified in the second saccharification tank 40B.

  Since the water 34 separated by the first solid-liquid separator 32 contains components that are raw materials for C5 sugar, such as oligosaccharides that are soluble in hot water, the second water on the hot water discharge liquid 16 side. By improving the saccharification in the saccharification tank 40B, the recovery rate of C5 sugar can be improved.

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> D is the same as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10 </ b> B of Example 2 except that the enzyme 41 </ b> A is added to the biomass solids 33 separated by the first solid-liquid separator 32. An enzyme liquefaction tank 43A for adding and liquefying the enzyme is provided.

  In the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A, for example, oligosaccharides are produced by hydrolysis of the biomass solids 33 by an enzyme 41A such as cellulase, for example, and then the saccharide is liquefied by further hydrolyzing the oligosaccharides of the enzyme liquefaction 45. Monosaccharification: mainly C6 sugar production).

  In the present embodiment, the biomass raw material is supplied to the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 and hydrothermally decomposed to continuously obtain the biomass solids 20 and then slurried in the slurrying tank 21 and then the first solid-liquid separation. The biomass solid content 33 is separated by the apparatus 32, the enzyme 41A is added, and the enzyme liquefied product 45 is obtained in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A. Thereafter, the enzyme liquefied product 45 is introduced into a large first saccharification tank 40A provided separately, and batch saccharification treatment is performed over a predetermined aging time to obtain a sugar solution (C6 sugar) 42A. When the large first saccharification tank 40A reaches a predetermined amount, batch processing may be performed using another large first saccharification tank 40A (not shown).

The amount of the enzyme 41A added to the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A is sufficient if the biomass solid content is liquefied with good operability in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A. For example, sufficient saccharification can be performed in the downstream enzyme saccharification tank 40A. Enzymes may be added to the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A, or the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A emphasizes only the operability, and the enzyme 41A sufficient to liquefy is added, and the first saccharification tank 40A downstream is sufficient. Enzyme 41A sufficient to perform saccharification may be added.
In the figure, reference numeral 43a is stirring means, M ₄ illustrates a motor for driving the agitation means 43a.

In the present embodiment, since the biomass solids 33 is once liquefied in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A, for example, a pump can be transported and workability such as handling is improved. Further, since the liquefaction facilitates the stirring, the stirring power of the stirring means M _3A of the first saccharification tank 40A can be reduced. Furthermore, since the enzyme reaction is performed in the liquid, the reaction rate is increased, which contributes to downsizing and labor saving of the large first saccharification tank 40A, and can reduce the amount of enzyme used.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable to continuously and gradually add the separated biomass solids 33 to the enzyme liquefied product 45 obtained in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A. That is, the biomass solids 33 separated by the first solid-liquid separation device 32 is continuously and gradually added to the enzyme liquefied product in a state liquefied in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A, and fluidity is added to the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A. Adjust so that low biomass solids do not exist as much as possible. By doing so, the stirring property in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A and the transportability to the downstream enzyme saccharification tank are improved, and the operation of the facility with good operability becomes possible.
On the other hand, when the enzyme liquefaction operation in which a large amount of biomass solids exists in the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A, that is, when the enzyme 41A is added to a large amount of biomass solids 33 and liquefaction proceeds gradually from a part, This will induce a decrease in production capacity and operability in continuous operation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, after the biomass raw material 11 is continuously added to the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17, the steps up to the enzyme liquefaction tank 43A can be continuously processed and sufficient saccharification is performed. Therefore, the capacity and the number of the first enzyme saccharification tank 40A may be designed according to the production capacity up to the enzyme liquefaction upstream of the first enzyme saccharification tank 40A, and the facility efficiency and workability can be greatly improved.

  Thus, the method for producing a sugar liquid using the biomass raw material of the present invention supplies the biomass raw material 11 having cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin from normal pressure to pressurized pressure as shown in FIG. Is hydrothermally decomposed by the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 with the pressurized hot water 15, the lignin component and the hemicellulose component are dissolved in the pressurized hot water 15, and then the biomass solid content 20 extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 is obtained. Is injected into a slurrying tank 21 in which water 19 is injected and communicated with the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 to form a slurry-like biomass solids 24, and then water 34 is first supplied from the slurry-like biomass solids 24. Then, the biomass solids 33 from which water has been removed is enzymatically saccharified to efficiently produce a sugar solution 42A. Can.

  Further, in the sugar liquid production method using the biomass raw material, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, on the upstream side where enzyme saccharification is performed, the enzyme is first liquefied, and then enzymatic saccharification is performed using the enzyme liquefied product 45. To improve productivity.

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a fifth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10E is an enzymatic saccharification of biomass solids mainly containing cellulose components into hexose (C6 sugar) or the like in the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10A of Example 1. C6 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50A for concentrating sugar, and C5 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus for concentrating sugar by enzymatic saccharification of hot water discharge liquid 16 mainly containing hemicellulose components into pentose sugar (C5 sugar), etc. 50B.

The C6 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50A and the C5 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50B include a third saccharification tank 52A for enzymatic saccharification of the slurry-like biomass solids with an enzyme 51A, and a hot water discharge liquid 16 from the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17. A second saccharification tank 40B for enzymatic saccharification of the saccharification with the enzyme 41B, a second solid-liquid separation device 54A, a third solid-liquid separation device 54B for separating solid components from the saccharified sugar solutions 53A, 42B, Reverse osmosis (RO) to obtain concentrated sugar solutions 55A and 55B by removing water 57A and 57B from the sugar solutions 53A and 42B separated by the second solid-liquid separator 54A and the third solid-liquid separator 54B And water separators 56A and 56B having membranes 56a and 56b.
As the second solid-liquid separator 54A and the third solid-liquid separator 54B, for example, a screw decanter, a sand filter, an MF membrane or the like can be used alone or in combination. The films 56a and 56b are protected. Furthermore, by using an ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane) on the upstream side of the RO membranes 56a and 56b, the RO membrane can be protected and the enzyme can be recovered, and the enzyme can be reused. .
In addition, a loose RO membrane, a nanofiltration membrane (NF membrane), or the like may be used for the water separation devices 56A and 56B.

Next, the process steps of the C6 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50A and the C5 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50B will be described.
<Enzyme saccharification process>
First, in the third saccharification tank 52A, slurried biomass solids 24 is introduced through a line L ₁ withdrawn, added enzymes 51A is made saccharification by enzyme reaction in the enzymatic saccharification step.
On the other hand, the in the second saccharification tank 40B, introduces discharged hot water 16 via the discharged hot water supply line L _4, it is added the enzyme 41B is made saccharification by enzyme reaction in the enzymatic saccharification step.
In addition, since the following process is also the same as the solid-liquid separation process of C6 sugar and C5 sugar, the process of C6 saccharification / sugar concentration apparatus 50A is demonstrated.

<Solid-liquid separation process>
Next, the sugar liquid 53A is stored in the first sugar liquid tank 61A, and then the solid residual liquid 62A such as lignin is separated by the second solid-liquid separation device 54A, and then the sugar liquid 53A is the second sugar liquid. It is stored in the tank 63A.

<Sugar concentration process>
Next, the water 57A is removed from the sugar solution 53A by the water separator 56A provided with the RO membrane 56a to obtain a concentrated sugar solution 55A.
The concentrated sugar solution 55A becomes various organic raw materials in a post-process fermentation process (not shown).

In this example, since saccharification is performed using the slurry-like biomass solids 24, saccharification is performed at a low substrate concentration, and high-speed saccharification is possible.
Moreover, since it is a slurry form, stirring and transfer can be performed with good operability.
In addition, since the saccharification is performed at a low substrate concentration, the amount of enzyme used can be reduced.
In addition, sugar can be efficiently concentrated by membrane treatment using various membranes.
The separated solid liquid 62A (62B) such as lignin is high in calories and can be used for fuel. Further, the solid residual liquid 62A (62B) such as lignin can be used for organic fertilizer use or chemical raw material use (use of lignin as an adhesive, etc.).

Further, in this embodiment, there are provided second return lines L _{5A and 5B} for returning the water 57A and 57B separated from the water separators 56A and 56B to the slurrying tank 21.
Further, a cooler 60 is interposed in the merge line L ₆ after the merge of the second return lines L _{5A and 5B} , and after cooling to a predetermined temperature, the slurry is returned to the slurrying tank 21. In addition, the cooler 60 is interposed in the extraction line L ₁ of the slurry-like biomass solids 24 and the hot water discharge liquid supply line L ₄ , and a desired temperature in the third saccharification tank 52A and the second saccharification tank 40B. In such a case, the cooler 60 of the merging line L ₆ can be omitted.

  Thereby, the separated water 57A and 57B can be reused, and the amount of water 19 separately supplied to the slurrying tank 21 can be reduced.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the sugar liquid production method using the biomass raw material of the present invention supplies the biomass raw material 11 having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin from normal pressure to pressurized pressure, Hydrothermal decomposition by the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 with the pressurized hot water 15, the lignin component and the hemicellulose component are dissolved in the pressurized hot water 15, and then the biomass solid content 20 extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 is Then, water 19 is injected into the slurry tank 21 and put into a slurry tank 21 communicating with the hydrothermal decomposition section 17 to form a slurry biomass solids 24. The slurry biomass solids 24 is enzymatically saccharified to produce a sugar solution 53A. After being obtained, the liquid can be efficiently produced from the biomass raw material by separating the solid content and then removing the water.

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 5, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a sixth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, biomass hydrothermal decomposition system 10F includes a second return line L _5A and biological treatment apparatus 61 to the line L ₆ of the second return line L _5B is joined is provided, water 57A, 57B Is biologically treated and then returned to the slurrying tank 21.

  Since the water 57A and 57B separated by the RO membrane 56a contains a reaction inhibitor (low molecular organic compound), the biological treatment device 61 can easily perform the treatment. Then, for example, by using a methane fermentation biological treatment apparatus as the biological treatment apparatus 61, methane can be recovered and used for fuel or the like.

  Moreover, in order to maintain the temperature of the hydrothermal decomposition reaction in the hydrothermal decomposition part 17 favorably, it forms from the upper side of the apparatus main body 13 of the hydrothermal decomposition part 17 of biomass toward one side, and pressurization hot water 15 Supply temperature (180 to 240 ° C., for example, 200 ° C.) is maintained for a certain period of time, and an internal temperature maintaining means 27 for adjusting the temperature is provided in an effective reaction region (hydrothermal decomposition region) for hydrothermal decomposition, and cooling water 28 is supplied. The temperature of the hydrothermal decomposition unit can also be adjusted, and the water treated by the biological treatment device 61 can be joined to the cooling water 28 supplied to the internal temperature maintaining means 27 and used for temperature adjustment. .

Next, another embodiment of the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same member as the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system of Example 6, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to a seventh embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, hydrothermal decomposition system 10G of biomass, the heating means 64 provided in the line L ₇ branching from the line L ₆ of the second return line L _5A and the second return line L _5B are joined The separated waters 57A and 57B are heated under pressure and supplied to the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 as pressurized hot water 15 for reuse.
Since the separated water 57A, 57B contains an organic acid such as acetic acid, the reaction temperature in the hydrothermal decomposition unit 17 can be lowered by lowering the pH, and the amount of energy used can be reduced. it can.

  Moreover, when the organic acid of water 57A, 57B is surplus, it becomes possible to provide the biological treatment apparatus 61 like Example 6, and to recycle by heating under pressure after that.

  As described above, according to the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system according to the present invention, after the cellulose-based component and the hemicellulose component are decomposed in a solid-liquid contact state from the biomass raw material, the biomass solid content that is the decomposition product is decomposed. By putting it in the liquid provided inside the slurrying tank, it is made into a slurry and a liquid seal is made to prevent the pressurized gas from flowing out. This prevents the pressurization gas (for example, pressurization nitrogen) from flowing out and can reduce the running cost.

  Moreover, the handling of the biomass solids in a slurry state is facilitated, and the biomass solids are suitable for the subsequent saccharification step, and an efficient sugar solution (C6 sugar, C5 sugar) can be produced. Further, based on this sugar solution, for example, LPG, fuel for aircraft, jet fuel for aircraft, kerosene, diesel oil, various heavy oils, fuel gas, naphtha, naphtha decomposition product ethylene glycol, lactic acid, alcohol (ethanol etc.), Various organic raw materials such as amine, alcohol ethoxylate, vinyl chloride polymer, alkylaluminum, PVA, vinyl acetate emulsion, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, MMA resin, nylon, polyester, etc. (eg alcohols, petroleum substitutes, amino acids, etc.) ) Can be produced efficiently. Therefore, the sugar solution derived from biomass can be efficiently used as a substitute for a chemical product derived from crude oil, which is a depleted fuel, and as a raw material for producing the substitute.

  Furthermore, since the biomass solids are introduced into the liquid, the reaction can be efficiently stopped by cooling the biomass solids by direct heat exchange with the liquid, and residual hemicellulose due to the hot water accompanying the biomass solids, residual The excessive decomposition of lignin and main component cellulose is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the generation of reaction-inhibiting components and improve the recovery rate of cellulose.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the biomass hydrothermal decomposition system enables efficient extraction by slurrying when separating the cellulose-based component from the biomass raw material. While producing the liquid, various organic substances (for example, alcohols, petroleum substitutes, amino acids, etc.) can be efficiently produced from the sugar liquid as a starting point.

10A to 10G Hydrothermal decomposition system of biomass 11 Biomass raw material 12 Biomass supply unit 13 Main body 14 First screw means 15 Pressurized hot water 16 Hot water discharge liquid 17 Hydrothermal decomposition unit 18 Biomass solid content extraction unit 19 Water 20 Biomass solid content 21 Slurry tank 22 Stirring means 23 Discharge part 24 Slurry biomass solid content 25 Pressurized nitrogen

Claims (20)

A biomass supply unit for supplying a biomass material having cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin under pressure from normal pressure;
Hydrothermal decomposition of biomass raw material with pressurized hot water, hydrothermal decomposition part for dissolving lignin component and hemicellulose component in pressurized hot water,
A biomass solids extraction unit for extracting biomass solids from the hydrothermal decomposition unit;
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system characterized by having a slurrying tank that communicates with a biomass solid content extraction unit and into which water is injected and into which the extracted biomass solid content is introduced to form a slurry. In claim 1,
The hydrothermal decomposition unit conveys the supplied biomass raw material from below to the inside of the apparatus main body by a conveying means, and supplies pressurized hot water from an upper side different from the supply location of the biomass raw material. Supplying the inside of the main body, hydrothermally decomposing the biomass raw material and pressurized hot water facing each other, transferring the hot water-dissolved component into the hot water discharge liquid that is the pressurized hot water to be discharged, the biomass A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system characterized by separating a lignin component and a hemicellulose component from a raw material. In claim 1 or 2,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising a pH measuring device that is provided on the downstream side of the slurrying tank and measures the pH of slurry-like biomass solids. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system, comprising a first solid-liquid separation device that is provided on the downstream side of the slurrying tank, removes moisture from the slurry-like biomass solids, and separates the biomass solids. In claim 4,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising a first saccharification tank for saccharifying biomass solids separated from the first solid-liquid separator. In claim 4 or 5,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising a first return line for returning water separated from the first solid-liquid separator to a slurrying tank. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system, comprising a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition section. In any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6,
Having a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition section,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system, wherein water separated from the first solid-liquid separator is mixed with the hot water discharge liquid. In claim 5,
An enzyme liquefaction tank is provided for adding enzyme to the biomass solids separated by the first solid-liquid separator to liquefy the enzyme,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system using the enzyme liquefaction product obtained in the enzyme liquefaction tank and saccharifying with an enzyme in the first saccharification tank. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising a third saccharification tank for saccharifying the slurry-like biomass solids. In claim 10,
A second solid-liquid separation device for separating the solid content from the sugar solution after saccharification;
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising: a first moisture separation device that removes water from a sugar solution after solid separation. In claim 10 or 11,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system, comprising a second saccharification tank for saccharifying the hot water discharge liquid from the hydrothermal decomposition section. In claim 7 or 12,
A third solid-liquid separation device for separating a solid from the sugar solution after saccharification in the second saccharification tank;
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system, comprising: a second moisture separation device that removes water from a sugar solution after solid separation. In claim 11 or 13,
A second return line for returning the water separated from the first moisture separator or the second moisture separator to one or both of the cooling section of the temperature adjusting means of the slurrying tank or hydrothermal decomposition apparatus; A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system. In claim 11 or 13,
A third return line for converting the water separated from the first moisture separator or the second moisture separator into pressurized hot water by the pressurizing and heating means and returning the pressurized hot water to the hydrothermal decomposition device; A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system. In claim 6, 14 or 15,
A biomass hydrothermal decomposition system comprising a biological treatment apparatus in the first return line, the second return line, or the third return line. A biomass raw material having cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin is supplied under normal pressure to pressurized pressure, and the biomass raw material is hydrothermally decomposed with pressurized hot water by a hydrothermal decomposition unit, and the lignin component and hemicellulose component are added to the pressurized hot water. Dissolve
Thereafter, the biomass solids extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition unit, water is injected into the slurry, put into a slurrying tank communicating with the hydrothermal decomposition unit, to make a slurry biomass solids,
Next, water is removed from the slurry biomass solids,
Thereafter, a method for producing a sugar solution using a biomass raw material, wherein the biomass solid content from which water has been removed is enzymatically saccharified to produce a sugar solution. In claim 17,
A sugar liquid production method using a biomass raw material, wherein the biomass solid content is liquefied with an enzyme on the upstream side of enzymatic saccharification of the biomass solid content from which water has been removed. A biomass raw material having cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin is supplied under normal pressure to pressurized pressure, and the biomass raw material is hydrothermally decomposed with pressurized hot water by a hydrothermal decomposition unit, and the lignin component and hemicellulose component are added to the pressurized hot water. Dissolve
Thereafter, the biomass solids extracted from the hydrothermal decomposition unit, water is injected into the slurry, put into a slurrying tank communicating with the hydrothermal decomposition unit, to make a slurry biomass solids,
A method for producing a sugar solution using a biomass raw material, wherein the slurry-like biomass solid content is enzymatically saccharified to obtain a sugar solution, and then the solid content is separated and then water is removed.   An alcohol production method comprising producing alcohol by performing alcoholic fermentation using a sugar solution obtained by the method for producing a sugar solution using the biomass raw material according to any one of claims 17 to 19.

Images